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Following tho outbreak of war tho Inspector and his Assistant wore
allocated to Food Control duties.
CHEMICAL AND BACTERIOLOGICAL EXAMINATION OF FOOD
The only examinations carried out by the Council are those for designated
milks; these are sent to the Counties' Public Health Laboratories. The matter
was discussed previously.
PREVALENCE OF INFECTIOUS DISEASE
MEASLES AND WHOOPING COUGH
These diseases wero made compulsorily notifiable by the Measles & Whooping
Regulations 1939, which came into operation in October of that year. The
Regulations wore advertised throughout the Borough and a copy sent to each
Registered medical practitioner practising within tho Borough.
The diseases still prevail amongst young children.
DIPHTHERIA
The incidence of Diphtheria was greatly reduced during the year, and
only one death occurred.
SCARLET FEVER
This disease continued to occur throughout the year in a mild form, but
her again the incidence was lower than last year. There were no deaths.
SMALLPOX
No cases of smallpox wero notified during tho year.
ENTERIC FEVER
Only ono case was notified during the year.
DYSENTERY
Three casos were notified during the year, but no deaths occurred.
IMKUNISATION AGAINST DIPHTHERIA
At the beginning of tho year authority was given for tho distribution of
leaflets to parents drawing attention to tho fact that the Medical Officer of
Health is permitted to immunise children against diphtheria. There was a
very good response, some 60C children wero immunised and 12 Schick Tests were
performed. Unfortunately the outbreak of war caused a tenporary suspension
of tho scheme. The Clinic is held on Saturday mornings at the Town Hall, and
3 injections of T.A.F. aro given at weekly intervals. Tho fall in tho
incidence.of diphtheria noted above, was no doubt partly brought about by the
success of tho immunisation scheme.
PUERPERAL PYREXIA AND OPHTHALMIA NEONATORUM
These aro referred to later on under tho heading of Maternity and Child
Welfare.
FOOD POISONING
No cases were reported during the year.
PNEUMONIA
The number of cases of primary and influenzal pneumonia notified
remains about the same
DIARRHOEA AND ENTERITIS UNDER 2 YEARS OF AGE
The death-rate per 1,000 live births for London as a whole was 8.2
whilst that for Edmonton was 1.23 as compared with 13.1 and 8.5 respectively
last year.
Tho following table gives the age incidence etc., of those suffering
from notifiable diseases, excluding tuberculosis, which is dealt with
separately.
It must be notad that tho figures in the second column as being removod
to hospital includes those already under treatment at a hospital - for instance
the North Middlesex County Hospital.
This remark applies more particularly to tho infections associated with
parturition and include puerperal pyrexia and ophthalmia neonatorum.